I have an Elite 7 chirp, I am almost certain only the sonar is clearer and has better target separation. The downscan is the same as it is / was on the elite 7 hdi, and the units do not have side scan. Honestly I would look around, I've seen hds 8s on sale for half price and things like that. The hds units are clearer, have faster and more detailed gps and they support side scan